Lord Shizi stepped out of the carriage and hurried to the gate of Pang Xi's residence. The guard didn't bother to stop him but did sprint ahead to try and warn Master Pang that a visitor had arrived.
Pang Xi was seated in the pavilion with a woman that Lord Shizi didn't recognize. He gave her a cursory and dismissive glance. She was dressed in light blue silk and had a bandaged hand in a sling over her heart. She looked up at him with a strange expression and then quickly lowered her eyes again.
Pang Xi stood to greet him. "Lord Shizi, welcome." The woman hastily got to her feet and also gave an awkward half-bow. "Ah, this is my… this is Miss Anak. Madam, please, excuse us." He left Anak at the table, and took Shizi by the elbow, steering him away from the pavilion. They went into the main hall. Pang Xi dismissed the servants and then shut the doors behind them.
